Rugby heavyweights ruck n’ roll into Coffs Harbour

Published on 28 March 2025

NSW-Festival-of-Rugby-Nikki-Williams.jpg

NSW Rugby reps have started rolling into the area ahead of the inaugural Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby that is set to light up the City of Coffs Harbour. 

“This is a huge coup for Coffs Harbour. It took 12 months to pull it all together and now we are going to reap the benefits for the next three years,” Mayor Nikki Williams said. 

“Having the Japanese Under 23 rugby team here is massive as we look to forge an enduring relationship with them ahead of the World Cup in Australia in 2027.” 

Some 2,000 tickets to the extravaganza at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Saturday 5 April have already been snapped up. 

“But you can still secure a seat with tickets priced from as little as $5 for kids under 12, $15 for general admission and $30 for grandstand. It’s extremely affordable and we also have special corporate packages available,” Mayor Williams said. 

Festival action includes: 

  • Elite international clashes, including Japan A vs Australian Barbarians at 7pm on Saturday 5 April 

  • A women’s exhibition game – Hunter Wildfires Women vs Northern NSW Invitational Barbarians at 5.15pm on 5 April 

  • Coffs Harbour Snappers v Coffs Harbour Marlins at 3.30pm on 5 April 

  • Community activations and school engagement programs 

  • The Coffs Coast Challenge – a premier junior and social rugby tournament on 5-6 April; and 

  • The Mid North Coast Super Round, featuring over 2,000 grassroots players, at Geoff King Oval, Coffs Rugby Park, Leisure Park and Rex Hardaker Oval on 5 April. 

“The local derby between the Marlins and the Snappers will be a rib-rattling crowd-pleaser on its own as these proud Coffs clubs have such a storied rivalry,” City Planning and Communities Acting Director Ian Fitzgibbon said. 

“Japan is such a good fit as Coffs Harbour is a sister city with Sasebo. The Festival of Rugby will add another layer to this valued relationship.” 

Rugby For Good Program Manager Joey de Dassel said the four-day festival would include a corporate golf day at Bonville on 3 April and a corporate luncheon at the C.ex Club on 4 April. 

“All of these events will create awareness and support the social programs driven by NSW Rugby,” Mr de Dassel said. 

“We use rugby as a vehicle to address social need and we’re very proud of that work.” 

Some of the biggest names in world rugby will be in Coffs next week, including Owen Finegan, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Burke, Morgan Turinui and Japan coach and former Wallabies mentor Eddie Jones. 

“The Australian Under 20s men’s team will also hold a high performance camp here while the Japanese squad will be in Coffs for 13 days,” Mr de Dassel said. 

“The City of Coffs Harbour has been super supportive in helping to make this happen and we’d love to see Coffs really get behind this event.” 

NSW Waratah player Fergus Lee-Warner was on hand on Thursday to inspect the C.ex Coffs International Stadium along with Mayor Williams and Mr de Dassel. 

“The festival is going to be great for all ages. When you’re a little kid and get to see the name players up close – it's like meeting giants,” Lee-Warner said. 

He predicts the international clash between the BaaBaas and the Japanese will pit contrasting styles. 

“The BaaBaas concept see players brought together so I’d expect we’ll see some adlib footy, natural ability and that Australian physicality,” Lee-Warner said. 

“The Japanese coached by Eddie Jones will be a well-drilled side and try and play an expansive game.” 

Mayor Williams said the Festival of Rugby would add another chapter to the City’s burgeoning reputation. 

“The International Stadium-anchored precinct we have here positions us as the home of sport in regional Australia,” she said. 

“Being a new event it’s hard to quantify the commercial benefit but we expect it to be in the order of $5 million for the local economy.” 

For more information and ticket sales visit coffscoast.com.au/rugby 

 

Photo:  
NSW Waratah player Fergus Lee-Warner, City of Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams and Rugby For Good Program Manager Joey de Dassel at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium.  

 

Tagged as:
Back to top